Experiences with [Remote] Team Builder Training: “Leaders cannot impose psychological safety from the top down”
Even a single training session on psychological safety can spark plenty of thoughts and discussions. This was the case for the creative agency 4D, where presenting original ideas is at the heart of everything they do.
In the creative industry, if anywhere, one must be brave enough to share personal thoughts and ideas—even the wild and silly ones. It’s equally important to stand behind those ideas when presenting them to clients.
That’s why the Turku-based agency 4D invited [Remote] Team Builder founder Juho Nenonen to speak to their team about psychological safety—because that’s precisely what sharing ideas and thoughts relies on.
Here’s what they learned from the session.
“It made us reflect on whether we should give more space for questioning”
"Based on employee surveys, I already knew that we had a solid level of psychological safety—but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t invest in it. Quite the opposite. So, I invited Juho to speak to us. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive; the content really resonated with our team.
Partly, the training reinforced practices we already have in place. But it also sparked conversations about whether certain situations could be approached differently. In some cases, we’ve been used to following a rather straightforward approach. The training made us consider whether we should challenge our methods more often. It also prompted discussions about workflows, such as internal meetings and idea development.”
– Mikko Granström, CEO
“It made us reflect on whether we should give more space for questioning”
"The training was refreshingly different from typical training sessions. It had enough concrete examples and practical content. There was also ample room for discussion, which flowed naturally. I appreciated how psychological safety was examined from both the employee’s and employer’s perspectives.
It was well highlighted that psychological safety isn’t something the leadership can simply provide from above—it’s something every member of the work community contributes to through their actions.
Since the training, I’ve tried to remain open to suggestions and take the time to listen, even when things are hectic. I think it would be valuable to dive deeper into this theme again in the future.”
– Tiia Nevalainen, Account Manager
“The training was a comfortable and enjoyable experience”
"The training session was pleasantly relaxed and open. It left us with a good feeling. The topic is important, and it’s great to discuss it regularly to keep these things top of mind. In our industry, it’s absolutely crucial that people feel comfortable speaking up and brainstorming—an agency’s success depends on it.
The topics were presented in an engaging way, with enough hooks and practical examples to keep the us engaged. Juho is incredibly approachable, and I’d be happy to continue exploring this theme with his guidance.”
– Lauri Lönn, Concept Designer
Since psychological safety isn’t something you learn in a “one-off course” but rather requires ongoing attention to maintain and develop, the 4D team will next dive into [Remote] Team Builder’s Learning Minutes.
